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1 August, 2000
Two years ago, the IMF suspended its only Indonesian affiliate, LEM-Jakarta.
The military government and the national center, SPSI, had controlled LEM-Jakarta, as well as the rest of the official Indonesian trade union movement, for most of its history. In the mid-nineties, however, voices of reform began to be heard, and the IMF thought it could encourage these by affiliating LEM-Jakarta. But in the end, the union did not take a firm stand in support of labour leaders that were persecuted in the final months of the Suharto regime, and the IMF reluctantly made its difficult decision after a debate, which had lasted for a number of years.
Following the Central Committees' decision, a new organisation, SPMI, Federation of Indonesian Metalworkers was formed. There is also another union in Indonesia, LOMENIK, that belongs to the SBSI, a national center that was founded by Mukthar Pakpahan.
As a result of these developments, the IMF has become much more active in the Indonesia than ever before. Seminars, visits, solidarity actions, financial contribution etc. have become almost routine - all in support of the two unions, which have already applied for membership in the IMF.
These two unions have recently been involved in two separate struggles and in both cases they have given each other strong support. Two years ago this was unthinkable. The IMF has been deeply involved in the struggles themselves and in the efforts to build confidence between the unions.
LOMENIK has conducted a difficult campaign in the city of Medan in North Sumatra. The Golgon company, produces zinc-plates, barbed wires, metal-screens, etc. and employs 1,500 workers -- all were forcedly affiliated to the government controlled SPSI union. Only 300 of the 1,500 workers were permanently employed; the remaining 1,200 were hired on short-term contracts. This means that they have no social security, no collective agreement, lower wages, and no premium for overtime.
But the most incredible aspect is that the contract workers are supplied by a company named C.F., which is owned by a Mr. Maruli, who is also president of the Medan SPSI union. LOMENIK had organised 70 metalworkers and when the company refused to negotiate, the union called for a strike, which was strongly supported by the large majority of the workers. SPSI brought in 500 "security guards" that were armed to the teeth to beat up the strikers. The same guards threw Molotov-cocktails into the Medan LOMENIK office.
But these criminal activities proved to be counter-productive, and, in the end, the company had to give in. All the workers are now permanently employed and are covered by an agreement negotiated by Lomenik. Moreover, 800 have joined LOMENIK.
The IMF continues to help LOMENIK strengthen its position among the workers and to organise workers in other companies.
For SPMI the conflict with Sony has been crucial. Their struggle has exposed a darker side of this Japanese TNC. 1,100 workers, 80 per cent young women, have taken up a fight against a big TNC to defend their working conditions. They have been on strike for the latest two and half months, and recently the company was given approval to fire the strikers by the Indonesian government.
The IMF intervened with both the company and the Indonesian government and succeeded in restarting negotiations.
After having met the strikers in Indonesia and talking to them, I am confident that they will succeed. It is the first time that a Japanese company in Indonesia has been so exposed and put on the defensive.
The IMF's primary goal is to build up strong and united trade unions, and that is why it is so important to inform everyone of the Indonesian experience.
But quite apart from the outcome of these two struggles, it is very clear to me that the Indonesian trade union movement is growing strong because it is democratic, independent and representative. These are the pre-requisites for IMF membership, and therefore the Central Committee should approve the applications for membership from SPMI and LOMENIK.
The military government and the national center, SPSI, had controlled LEM-Jakarta, as well as the rest of the official Indonesian trade union movement, for most of its history. In the mid-nineties, however, voices of reform began to be heard, and the IMF thought it could encourage these by affiliating LEM-Jakarta. But in the end, the union did not take a firm stand in support of labour leaders that were persecuted in the final months of the Suharto regime, and the IMF reluctantly made its difficult decision after a debate, which had lasted for a number of years.
Following the Central Committees' decision, a new organisation, SPMI, Federation of Indonesian Metalworkers was formed. There is also another union in Indonesia, LOMENIK, that belongs to the SBSI, a national center that was founded by Mukthar Pakpahan.
As a result of these developments, the IMF has become much more active in the Indonesia than ever before. Seminars, visits, solidarity actions, financial contribution etc. have become almost routine - all in support of the two unions, which have already applied for membership in the IMF.
These two unions have recently been involved in two separate struggles and in both cases they have given each other strong support. Two years ago this was unthinkable. The IMF has been deeply involved in the struggles themselves and in the efforts to build confidence between the unions.
LOMENIK has conducted a difficult campaign in the city of Medan in North Sumatra. The Golgon company, produces zinc-plates, barbed wires, metal-screens, etc. and employs 1,500 workers -- all were forcedly affiliated to the government controlled SPSI union. Only 300 of the 1,500 workers were permanently employed; the remaining 1,200 were hired on short-term contracts. This means that they have no social security, no collective agreement, lower wages, and no premium for overtime.
But the most incredible aspect is that the contract workers are supplied by a company named C.F., which is owned by a Mr. Maruli, who is also president of the Medan SPSI union. LOMENIK had organised 70 metalworkers and when the company refused to negotiate, the union called for a strike, which was strongly supported by the large majority of the workers. SPSI brought in 500 "security guards" that were armed to the teeth to beat up the strikers. The same guards threw Molotov-cocktails into the Medan LOMENIK office.
But these criminal activities proved to be counter-productive, and, in the end, the company had to give in. All the workers are now permanently employed and are covered by an agreement negotiated by Lomenik. Moreover, 800 have joined LOMENIK.
The IMF continues to help LOMENIK strengthen its position among the workers and to organise workers in other companies.
For SPMI the conflict with Sony has been crucial. Their struggle has exposed a darker side of this Japanese TNC. 1,100 workers, 80 per cent young women, have taken up a fight against a big TNC to defend their working conditions. They have been on strike for the latest two and half months, and recently the company was given approval to fire the strikers by the Indonesian government.
The IMF intervened with both the company and the Indonesian government and succeeded in restarting negotiations.
After having met the strikers in Indonesia and talking to them, I am confident that they will succeed. It is the first time that a Japanese company in Indonesia has been so exposed and put on the defensive.
The IMF's primary goal is to build up strong and united trade unions, and that is why it is so important to inform everyone of the Indonesian experience.
But quite apart from the outcome of these two struggles, it is very clear to me that the Indonesian trade union movement is growing strong because it is democratic, independent and representative. These are the pre-requisites for IMF membership, and therefore the Central Committee should approve the applications for membership from SPMI and LOMENIK.